Badlands National Park 20th Park in 12th State

Good Times at the Badlands

People are drawn to the rugged beauty of the Badlands. These striking geologic deposits contain one of the world’s richest fossil beds. Ancient mammals such as the rhino, horse, and saber-toothed cat once roamed here. The park’s 244,000 acres protect an expanse of mixed-grass prairie where bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs, and black-footed ferrets live today.

Our 20th Park still in our 12th State was Badlands National Park.  We went to the Visitor's Center in Interior, SD   http://www.nps.gov/badl/index.htm

Aptly named the Badlands!!  Or this could be the moon!!

We couldn't believe this place.  It was like something we had never seen before.  Prairie grasses, mounds, colors, Prairie Dog Towns.  We must have taken 100 pictures.

The park was completely open to visitors.  People we hiking, bicycling and climbing everywhere.

You would think this sign would discourage the tourists--not in the least!!

The road through the park from Wall, SD to Interior, SD was 23 miles!!